Ryan: Is it love - The original story (Game walk through)

Chapter two part four

Matt's eyes fall on the building behind the window.

Matt > So, where's the great Manitou?

> What, does it excite you to see what he looks like?

Matt > So much so! Multi-billionaire CEO's have always had that effect on me! I've tried group therapy on the subject but it's no use. I'm a real little sl...

I give him a nudge to stop him from going on.

> By the way, did things settle between Colin and Doris?

Matt > Between those two, it's a love-hate relationship. I think if things chill one day, it'll either be because one of them's dead or just weary.

> Are they together?

Matt > No, gossip girl!

I stare at him, a little offended.

Matt > He's giving a concert, tonight. If you're thinking of letting your hair down after work then you should come!

> Why not! I'll be there!

Matt > Ok! Right, I'll leave you to it, your ladyship the assistant. I bid you good day.

He bows down theatrically before leaving the room. I see him poke his head around the door frame as I settle back down at my desk.

Matt > Can you really not fix things up with the secretary for me?

I throw a paper ball at him but he's already in the hallway, laughing his head off.

I spent most of the afternoon working on a project Carter entrusted me with. I'm slowly getting used to things. The problem with this company is that, like all huge enterprises, its organization is like a gigantic cobweb where everything is intertwined and complex. I'm beginning to get a headache through linking the different partners and their projects together. I've drawn up charts with colour codes indicating the part they each play. As I'm sorting through my emails, I get a new message from Carter:

Carter's email > Are you ready for tonight?

Ready for tonight? What's he talking about? I answer at once:

> Ready for tonight...? PS: The file you asked me about is ready.

I look through this week's schedule but I don't see a thing. No interviews, no meetings. A new message drops:

Carter's email > The charity ball. You should be receiving a parcel in a few hours. PS: Thank you for the file.

Shit! The charity ball! I'd completely forgotten! After all, it's just THE reason why I'm here today working in this office. What an idiot! What's more, I've gone and accepted Matt's invitation. Great, now I'm gonna have to tell him that I'm going to a charity ball! I can see him from here, making fun of me.

We're nearing the end of the afternoon, I wonder with a certain apprehension, what the "parcel" that Carter sent contains. Probably my invitation. I guess you can't get into that sort of social event without having been formally invited! Suddenly, someone knocks at the door. The secretary walks in, as friendly as usual bringing a pretty parcel tied with a red silk ribbon.

Secretary > For you.

> Thank you.

It seems to me that she glances jealously at the little package. I try to suppress my excitement as best I can in front of her. If she had been a nice girl, we could have opened the packet together, giggling like two schoolgirls, but it's decidedly not her case. As soon as she's gone and closed the door behind her, I examine the package. There's a little card under the bow. The card is thick and pleasant to touch. There's a handwritten message on the inside.

Card > Stewart will pick you up at 8 o'clock at your apartment to take you to the charity ball.

Signed with the initials: RC. I untie the ribbon carefully, almost religiously. For some reason, my heart is pounding in my chest.

> Shit!

I stay dumbfounded before its content.

> What the hell...?

Inside is a bright scarlet red cloth carefully folded and wrapped in black silk paper. As I gently lift the fabric out of the box, I almost die from suffocation. It's a superb dress by Valentino. The kind that you only see pictured in the magazine Vogue and which I could normally only dream of touching. I can't help but scream. I'm like a kid discovering her dress for the prom ball! I can't accept it, it's too much. I lay the dress out on my desk and marvel in its detail. Let's recap. Carter is inviting me to a charity ball and is asking me to wear this priceless designer dress. His chauffeur is going to pick me up with his Limousine. All things considered; I simply can't refuse to wear this absolutely DIVINE dress! It's totally crazy! I feel like a princess in a modern-day fairy tale! Does Carter always show this much attention to his assistants? My heart hopes that no... I have the very strange feeling that tonight is gonna be special, very special.